The online blended learning approach to education: What it is, how it works, and why it matters
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David Wiley, professor at Brigham Young University, discusses changes in the society brought about by advances in technology, with particular mention of the impact of the Internet (Wiley 2006). Wiley states that we are moving from:

  • Analog to digital. Information, media, interactions, and experiences are becoming more online.
  • Tethered to mobile. Mobile phones, laptops, tablet computers, and wireless networks allow people to access the digital realm from anywhere, at any time.
  • Isolated to connected. The Internet allows us the opportunity to interact with individuals all over the world. Our contacts with peers will expand thanks to shared interests, while our relationships with loved ones remain strong.
  • Generic to personal. We can now choose whom or what we’re going to encounter rather than being obliged to only encounter what was presented to us in our past, one type of news, or one particular community. Instead of merely acquiring information in one place, that we provide it to our own devices.

What is the online blended learning approach to education.

Online blended learning is a new way of teaching and learning. It combines in-person teaching with digital resources and tools. This modality enables teachers to use a variety of methods, such as online resources, podcasts, videos, and books. The blended learning approach introduces a new way of learning and teaching. By integrating a variety of resources, we can transform how we teach and learn.

The blended learning approach to education is a type of education that incorporates traditional and digital teaching options. It is thought to be most effective and cost-efficient than traditional education methods because it allows students to learn at their own pace, instead of attending classes during the morning and evening. This approach also relieves the burden of having to take physical classes – reducing the amount of physical class with online blended education classes.

How does the online blended learning approach to education work.

Online blended learning is a type of education that combines online learning with traditional face-to-face instruction. In a blended learning environment, students can access course materials, submit assignments, take exams, and communicate with their instructors and classmates online, while also attending classes and participating in hands-on activities in a physical classroom. This can provide students with more flexibility and control over their own learning, as well as more opportunities for personalized instruction and support. To use blended learning effectively, it’s important for teachers to carefully integrate online and in-person activities, and to provide students with the tools and support they need to succeed in both environments.

Why online blended learning?

Online blended learning is an effective way to learn because it combines the convenience and flexibility of online learning with the structure and support of traditional classroom instruction. It also allows students to work at their own pace, which can result in better comprehension and retention of material. Additionally, online blended learning provides access to a variety of resources, such as multimedia presentations and interactive tools, which can help make learning more engaging.

Increased access and convenience

As the education system moves towards more online-based learning and away from traditional classroom instruction, blended learning is quickly becoming a popular option for both educators and students alike. Blended learning combines the accessibility of online courses with the personalization of in-person instruction to create an educational experience that gives learners more control over their studies. This article will explore what blended learning is, how it works, and why it matters for today’s students and teachers.

This flexible approach to education provides increased access and convenience for those who may not have been able to take part in traditional learning environments due to physical or financial constraints. Not only can students complete courses at their own pace, but they also benefit from personalized instruction tailored specifically to their needs.

When done right, blended courses make it possible for increased access and expanded convenience without doing away with and, in some cases, enhancing the strengths of hands-on learning such as bonding with teachers and classmates.

Improved learning

The blended learning approach to education is revolutionizing the way students learn in today’s world. By combining traditional face-to-face instruction with digital tools, it offers a comprehensive and effective teaching approach that can improve student engagement and learning outcomes. With this innovative approach to education, teachers have more tools to customize their classrooms and create an environment that meets their students’ individual needs.

With the right technology, blended learning allows teachers to deliver lessons in real time both onsite and online. Students are able to access materials at any time outside of class, while teachers can easily provide feedback on individual student progress. This type of personalized support helps ensure each student is getting the help they need in order to succeed. Additionally, technology such as interactive whiteboards allow for more engaging group activities that make learning more fun for everyone.

Online courses at educational institutions of various types were found to be more effective than traditional face-to-face courses, according to a 2009 US Department of Education report that surveyed fifty-one studies on this topic. These includes:

  • Improved instructional design – Blended courses (like online courses) may often be designed with a greater purpose in mind than that of average face-to-face lessons. This is due to the fact that institutional initiatives for blended courses almost always involve teachers or designers who support the teachers in a scheduled redesign process.
  • Increased guidance and triggers – The instruction for teachers in a blended setting is aimed at imparting knowledge in a step-by-step fashion during class and also in a guide on separate topics when participants are working on their own. Teachers also provide opportunities for interaction in online and face-to-face classes.
  • Easier access to learning activities – Allowing the online utilization of materials and activities lets class members more actively work with these materials at that moment. This can improve their comprehension.
  • Individualised learning opportunities – Digital materials are available for use according to each student’s requirements, and they may be accessed repeatedly. Curriculum assessment tools used in e-learning environments can provide real-time insights on how students are doing, allowing them to review specific areas that need improvement.
  • Increased engagement through social interaction – Students enrolled in an in-class course may find it hard to interact with most of their classmates, and the face-to-face environment itself might be an obstacle to some students’ being involved. Online learning environments that facilitate class discussions, collaboration, etc. may increase the amount of student-to-student communication. This will, in turn, promote their engagement.
  • Time on task – Blended and online courses tend to intensify student focus on the course content. This may be a result of increased assistance and support, and better teachings as explained above. It could also be that time spent on task is easier to monitor in an online environment because webpages can be analyzed for individual attention.

Decreased (or more flexible) costs

The blended learning approach to education is one that combines face-to-face teaching with online activities. This type of educational model offers a number of benefits, including decreased or more flexible costs. The cost savings result from lower overhead associated with using digital resources and from the ability to personalize instruction for each student.

One key benefit of a blended learning approach is its potential to reduce the cost of an educational experience. Online lessons, materials, and activities can be accessed at no charge or at significantly reduced rates when compared to traditional educational programs. Additionally, classrooms no longer need to hire as many teachers, since some of the instruction can be provided in an online setting. By eliminating the high overhead costs associated with traditional schools, blended learning models offer considerable cost savings while still providing students with quality education experiences.

Blended courses can reduce costs to teachers, students, and institutions. Teachers and students can encounter fewer travel time, transportation expenses, and parking fees as a result of blended courses.

Conclusion

Blended learning approaches are a great way to get a more in-depth education. One blended learning approach is the active learning approach, which involves using real-world examples and exercises to help students learn. As we have invested more resources in technology, we’re becoming more accustomed to seeing technologically oriented courses being integrated into existing offerings. This usually begins by making use of the cloud to store and retrieve documents so that teachers and students can send each other digital copies of their materials.

It’s not about technology, it’s about learning. – Stephen Anspacher

There are a lot of advantages that schools can derive from blended course development. Blended course developers can act as educators and consultants for other programs, which may ingrain new knowledge and procedures throughout the institution. All of this can contribute to the institution s core of established teaching practices.

 

Reference: Online & Blended Learning: Selections from the field, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group

About the author : Qalm Solutions
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